Highest-Ranked
Epidemiology Journal Seeking New Editor-In-Chief
Resignations
Of Current IJE Editors Surprise IEA Leadership
The
International Journal of Epidemiology (IJE) is suddenly looking for a
new editor or editors. The opening has come about unexpectedly
following the resignations of George Davey Smith and Shah
Ebrahim late last year at a meeting of the International
Epidemiological Association (IEA).
Praise for the Editors
In announcing the resignation, the IEA stated “it is
with great regret that IEA Council has accepted the resignation of the
IJE Editors-in-Chief George Davey Smith and Shah Ebrahim effective
from 31 December 2016.
After a long and tremendously successful period under George and
Shah’s leadership since 2000, the IJE was brought from the status of a
relatively ordinary publication to the top journal in its area,
becoming the most influential and attractive journal in the field of
public health. This sustained trend was the result of a lot of
dedicated work, a wise effort to grasp innovation and a unique
inspirational vision that they were able to share with an Editorial
Board comprising many of the most influential and active
epidemiologists worldwide…”
Reasons for Resignations
The reasons for
the resignations have not been made public, however, the Monitor has
learned that financial reserves of the IEA have dropped by one-third
over the past three years. The organization felt an urgent need to do
some serious belt-tightening due to large losses at the Alaska
Congress, according to IEA sources.
The Financial
Decision
The financial
situation was discussed at a meeting of the IEA Executive Committee in
April 2015 when it was decided to reduce all external funding. The
budget for the editorial office of the IJE located at the University
of Bristol was reviewed and cut by about one third,
according to our sources.
According to Ebrahim and Davey Smith, “the IEA in discussion with
Oxford University Press reduced our funding considerably without
involving us or allowing any negotiation.”
By its
own admission, IEA handled communication poorly, and it has
apologized to all the parties.
The Resignation
Decision
A new contract with less funding was put into place
very quickly in April since the existing contract with the University
and the editorial office had expired in March. Despite the preceding
difficulties, the editors appeared to have accepted the reduced budget
and continued working under the new contract until their surprise
resignations six months later in October 2015. The editors stated
their operations were no longer sustainable, according to our IEA
sources. They agreed to stay on until the end of 2016 when a new
editor can take over.
The Real Reason
However true or not it may be that the budget of the IJE Editorial
Office was higher than it needed to be, the IEA in its communication
with the body of editors has made clear that its primary reason for
reducing the budget was the precarious financial situation of the IEA
and not any perceived excessive costs.
Governance Review
Meanwhile, an external review commissioned in April
2015 found that IEA’s governance and processes appear not to have kept
up to date with current good practice which is typical for an
association that has grown in terms of size, complexity, and income.
The IEA is planning to update its governance and processes , in line
with those expected for a charity in the 21st century, said
Valerie Beral, President of IEA.
Impact Factor Ratings
Finding a new editor for the prestigious post may not be difficult for
the successful journal. The IJE has enhanced its standing among public
health journals over the last few years by managing to raise its
impact factor rating from less than 2 when Davey Smith and Ebrahim
took over the journal to 9.2 in 2014. This rating exceeds by a wide
margin the impact factors at the other principal journals in the
epidemiology field which range from approximately 3-6. In fact, the
journal’s rating places it in the top 1-2% of all journals rated.
Exciting opportunity
In its recruitment ad, the IEA describes the opening as “an exciting
opportunity for an outstanding scientist(s) to take this successful
journal onto the next stage in its development. Beral told the Monitor
that her personal view was that the new editor should use his or her
own ideas in shaping the future direction of the Journal. In her view,
the Journal would do well to cater more to its membership in middle
and low income countries which currently comprises about 40% of
membership. To accomplish this, Beral told the Monitor she would favor
a serious attempt to give more space to epidemiologists from these
countries and even to help them produce and publish good science.
In their response to questions from the Monitor (see following
article), Ebrahim and Davey Smith cited the following as one of the
key accomplishments during their tenure: the “In Depth” network
profiles which have increased the awareness of the international
community of these important resources, and running workshops “in
country” to help authors put these together.
Budget Issues
According to the recruitment ad, “the editorial office
budget shall be set by agreement between the IEA Council and the
Editor(s)-in-Chief; the contribution from IEA will not exceed
$170,000.” This amount is what is available given the IEA’s current
financial situation. Some may think this amount is insufficient to
maintain the quality and quantity of the current IJE. Time will tell
if they are correct.
The deadline for applications is February 14, 2016 and more
information can be obtained by visiting the IEA website at:
http://ieaweb.org/
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